ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
FLEXIBLE AND PERMEABLE RIVER PROTECTION The increasing incidence and severity of extreme flood events, combined with rising stormwater velocities, constantly threatens to undermine riverbank protection systems. These challenges necessitate environmentally engineered countermeasures, says Louis Cheyne, managing director, Gabion Baskets. By Alastair Currie
RIVER EROSION REPAIR WORKS IN THE DRC
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iverbanks and riverbeds are typically composed of soft underlying materials, like clayey soils and black turf, which are especially prone to erosion. In addition to localised damage, this can also contribute to downstream impacts like excessive sedimentation build-up in dams. “In developing the best river erosion system design, the goal is to work with the hydraulic forces rather than against them,” Cheyne explains. “In this respect, gabion systems provide the best approach, since they are essentially wire-framed structures filled with rocks that together enable some degree of permeability. The extent of this will be site dependent. For example, in mass gravity gabion retaining wall structures, erosion protection blankets are often included to minimise fines loss.” The double-twisted hexagonal woven steel mesh used to construct gabion baskets and mattresses is designed to flex, which is important for the structures’ longer-term integrity. Selecting a Class A galvanised wire specification is equally important to counter abrasion and corrosion.
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Galfan and PVC
In especially demanding conditions, Galfan coated wire is recommended where high levels of pollution are present. This is an increasingly common factor within urban river systems exposed to industrial waste and untreated effluent. Galfan is composed of a higher-grade steel coated with a zinc-aluminium layer. The use of Galfan is equally recommended for fast-flowing, turbulent river courses. Here, higher levels of oxygenation occur as the rapidly flowing water swirls around gabion structures. In the case of both Class A and Galfan wire, a PVC coating can also be applied to achieve additional protection. Typically, the woven mesh used for baskets and mattresses is 2.7 mm and 2.2 mm respectively; however, some clients specify a 2.7 mm wire thickness for both products, for added overall system durability. “Thanks to the simplicity of gabion construction techniques, you can place or ‘float’ the baskets and mattresses directly on to the riverbed,” Cheyne continues. “This would obviously
Construction works in progress to repair and upgrade an existing gabion mattress system designed to protect a pedestrian bridge crossing a strongly flowing river in the DRC
not be the case for a precast or in situ concrete structure, which will always need a reinforced foundation, ideally placed on the bedrock. As an alternative approach, we have seen concrete retaining block wall structures built on top of gabion baskets, founded on an apron mattress in the river, which then proves optimal.”
Configuration and applications
Gabions are well suited to river diversion structures, longitudinal protection walls, culvert in- and outlets, low-level bridge crossings and weirs. Bridge abutments are another popular application. On smaller bridges, the abutments can be constructed entirely using gabions. And for larger bridges where the abutments are constructed in concrete, gabion baskets can be constructed around their base to form a protective layer against erosion and impacts from flotsam, especially during flood conditions. “Mattresses are especially ideal for river channel linings and can be installed up to a maximum slope of 45 degrees, as long as they are anchored at the top,” says Cheyne. “They also
